Anyone who planned to fly through Jakarta over the weekend may have spent a lot more time at the airport than expected. Ash from the eruption of Anak Krakatau forced several airports to close, leaving thousands of passengers trying to figure out another way home.
There is finally some better news for travelers. Jakarta’s two airports reopened Tuesday, Sept. 8, after flights were stopped for about two days.
However, the cancellations and delays added up quickly. According to the latest Associated Press report, the closures disrupted 2,961 flights, including 622 international flights. Approximately 341,000 passengers were affected.
Anak Krakatau began erupting late Friday in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra. Ash eventually reached Jakarta and other parts of western Indonesia, making it unsafe for planes to take off or land.
Jakarta’s Two Airports Are Open Again
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Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and Halim Perdanakusuma Airport were among five airports that reopened shortly after midnight Tuesday. Another airport reopened Monday, while two remained closed as of Tuesday morning.
A change in the wind helped carry the ash away from Jakarta. Before flights could resume, airlines also had to make sure the planes at the airports were safe to use. Reuters reported that 178 planes at Soekarno-Hatta needed inspection.
Of course, reopening the airports doesn’t immediately fix two days of canceled trips. Airlines still have to find new flights for passengers while getting planes and crews back where they belong.
The Volcano Has Not Stopped Erupting
Although the longer period of continuous activity ended Sunday, Anak Krakatau is still active. Four more eruptions were recorded between dawn and midday Tuesday.
The last two lasted 19 and 17 seconds. Fog made them difficult to see, but monitoring equipment still picked them up.
Indonesia currently has the volcano at Level III, the second-highest alert level. People have been told to stay at least three kilometers, or approximately 1.9 miles, away from the crater. The first AP report said there had been no deaths or evacuation orders connected to the eruption.
Travelers Should Check Flights Before Going to the Airport
Anyone with a flight to or from Jakarta should check with the airline before leaving for the airport.
Keep in mind that a flight could still be delayed or canceled even if the airport is open. Another eruption from the volcano could also cause more disruptions if it sends ash into flight paths.